Conroe Family Guilty of Disability Fraud

Conroe Family Guilty of Disability Fraud

HOUSTON—Ali Irsan, 58, has been convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Irsan’s wife—Shmou Ali Alrawabdeh, 38—and daughter—Nadia Irsan, 31—have also been convicted by previously entering guilty pleas to making false statements in association with the fraud scheme.

Ali Irsan is a naturalized U.S. Citizen from Jordan and a resident of Conroe. He and members of his family received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is needs-based benefit provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSI pays monthly benefits to the disabled, who DO NOT have resources. An individual with resources, excluding a home and a car, is ineligible for SSI.

On or about Sept. 4, 2002, Ali Irsan applied for SSI benefits claiming he had been disabled and unable to work since 1990. However, Irsan failed to report that he maintained a bank account in Jordan with a balance that fluctuated from approximately $4,000 to $16,000. Also, in January 2010, Ali Irsan received a settlement check for $75,000, which he failed to report to the SSA. Shmou and Nadia Irsan falsified documents in order to aid the fraud scheme involving the disability benefits.

The three family members will remain in custody pending their sentencing hearing, which is set for June 2015. At that time each face up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The investigation leading to the charges was led by SSA—Office of Inspector General with the assistance of FBI, Houston Police Department and sheriff’s offices in Harris and Montgomery Counties among others. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim McAlister is prosecuting the case.